In a tightly contested dual Sunday, the Penn State wrestling team came away with an 18-17 win over Rutgers at the Sprawl and Brawl Duals.
The Nittany Lions started strong, winning four of six matches to begin the competition, but David Erwin's major decision victory at 184-pounds was the deciding factor against the Scarlet Knights. Erwin had struggled at 174 to begin the season, but found success at 184 against Rutgers in a crucial match.
The Lions' last two wrestlers, 197-pounder Clay Steadman and heavyweight Cameron Wade, faced tough tests against ranked opponents in the final two matches of the dual.
Steadman took No. 16 Lamar Brown to the very brink, before falling 2-1 in a tiebreaker, while Rutgers' No. 10 heavyweight D.J. Russo defeated Wade 6-0. The Lions did enough to hold on for the 18-17 win.
Other winners for Penn State were Brad Pataky at 125, Frank Molinaro at 149, Cyler Sanderson at 157 and 165-pounder Dan Vallimont.
The Lions continue their matches Sunday, facing Harvard next before they take on No. 13 Edinboro.
